UCLA vs. Oregon State Football 2009
Bruins, Beavers Look to Get Back on Winning Track in Pac-10
Oct 30, 2009
The Bruins will try to snap a four-game losing streak — and revive their postseason hopes — when they face Oregon State in a Pac-10 Conference football game Saturday, Oct. 31, at Corvallis, Ore.
UCLA (3-4 overall, 0-4 Pac-10) has watched its bowl chances fade rapidly over the past month, but a win over Oregon State would bring coach Rick Neuheisel's team back to the .500 barrier and give it a fighting chance to secure the six-win season needed to become bowl eligible.
A loss wouldn't be quite as devastating for Oregon State (4-3, 2-2). But it would place the Beavers in a position where they'd have to do some scrambling in order to secure a bowl bid of their own.
All three of Oregon State's losses have come to teams currently ranked in the Top 25. The last was a 42-36 setback at No. 4 Southern Cal last weekend. Coach Mike Riley's Beavers also fell to No. 5 Cincinnati 28-18 and No. 23 Arizona 37-32.
UCLA met Arizona last week, dropping a 27-13 decision. That followed Pac-10 defeats of 24-16 to Stanford, 24-10 to Oregon and 45-26 to Cal.
The Bruins have been extremely successful vs. Oregon State, owning a 39-14-4 series lead. UCLA's won five of its last six games vs. the Beavers, including the last three in Corvallis. But Oregon State won last year's 34-6 at the Rose Bowl.
Saturday's game is scheduled for 1 p.m. PST, and will not be telecast live.
Rodgers Brothers Lead Efficient Oregon State Offense
Oregon State features a balanced offense that averages 29.9 points and 400.9 yards per game. The Beavers have committed only six turnovers all season, fumbling the ball away just once. A weak spot has been pass protection — they've given up 22 sacks.
Most of OSU's big plays have been provided by brothers Jacquizz and James Rodgers. Jacquizz Rodgers has rushed for 810 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He's also caught 42 passes for 279 yards and a TD, and his 15 total touchdowns rank him second in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.
James Rodgers leads the Beavers in receiving with 50 catches for 600 yards and five TDs. In addition, he's rushed for 178 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt, and he's also OSU's top punt and kickoff returner.
QB Sean Canfield has been sharp, completing 68.2 percent of his passes for 1,734 yards and 11 touchdowns, with four interceptions. In addition to the Rodgers brothers, he throws regularly to wide receiver Damola Adeniji (31 catches, 422 yards, 3 TDs).
Beavers Defense Short on Sacks
Oregon State is giving up 25.7 points and 381 yards per game — figures that would be much lower if the Beavers managed more effective pressure.
OSU has recorded only four sacks all season, ranking 118th of 120 FBS teams. Also, the Beavers have forced only eight turnovers — tied for 110th.
The Beavers have received some strong play in the secondary. Safety Lance Mitchell has two interceptions and five pass breakups, and cornerback James Dockery has one pick and seven pass breakups.
Linebacker Keaton Kristick leads the team in tackles with 38.5, and safety Cameron Collins is second with 33. Stephen Paea, OSU's standout tackle, has managed only 13.5 tackles and no sacks, as he's had to deal with constant double-teaming.
UCLA Still Looking for Answers on Offense
For the UCLA offense, the story hasn't changed much since the season opener. The Bruins just aren't moving the ball much. They're managing just 20 points per game, and their average of 296.1 yards ranks 109th in the FBS.
The Bruins have tried three quarterbacks — Kevin Prince, Kevin Craft and Richard Brehaut — but haven't been able to create a consistent spark. UCLA ranks 113th in the FBS in passing efficiency.
Freshman running back Johnathan Franklin has provided most of the Bruins' few offensive highlights, rushing for 469 yards and five TDs on 4.9 yards per carry.
Taylor Embree leads the receivers with 24 catches for 306 yards, and Terrence Austin (19 receptions, 202 yards, 2 TDs) has made plays as a kickoff returner as well as a receiver.
Kicker Kai Forbath has continued to excel, hitting 19 of his 21 field goal attempts. The bad news is that he's had only 12 PAT attempts, because the Bruins aren't scoring touchdowns.
UCLA Safety Moore Tied for FBS Interceptions Lead
Bruins safety Rahim Moore made two interceptions vs. Arizona, raising his season total to seven and moving into a tie for the FBS lead. The sophomore, who's also broken up five passes, is second in the FBS with 1.71 passes defended per game.
Moore is part of a strong secondary that also features cornerback Alterraun Verner (42 tackles, 3 interceptions) and safety Tony Dye (42 tackles).
The defensive line is powered by tacke Brian Price, who is tied for eighth in the FBS with 11.5 tackles for loss. The 6-foot-2, 300-pound junior also has four sacks.
Linebackers Kyle Bosworth and Reggie Carter pace the Bruins in tackles with 52 and 51, respectively. Defensive end Korey Bosworth has seven tackles for loss.
UCLA, which is allowing 22.6 points and 339.7 yards per game, also has an effective weapon in punter Jeff Locke. He's averaging 46.7 yards per kick — second in the FBS.
